Envelop.



Patented Nov. ll, i902. H. A. GRAHAM.

ENVELOP.

' (Application filed Dec. 26, 1901.]

(No Model.)

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Nrrao STATES ATENT OFFICE.

IIOMER A. GRAHAM, OF ONECO, FLORIDA.

ENVELOP.

SEECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 713,428, dated November11, 1902. Application filed December 26, 1901. Serial No. 87,141. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOMER A. GRAHAM, a citizen of the UnitedStates,residing at Oneco, in the county of Manatee and State of Florida,have invented new and useful Improvements in Envelops, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to envelope; and the object of the same is toprovide simple and effective means for securing the closing or sealingflap of an envelop in a reliable manner, so that it can be transmittedthrough the mails without danger of becoming unsealed, but which may beeasily released by the addressee.

The invention' consists in the construction and arrangement of theseveral parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelop embodyingthe features of the invention and shown closed. Fig. 2 is a similar viewof the envelop embodying the improved features and shown open, partsbeing illustrated in dotted lines to show the construction of portionsof the body of the envelop. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section,onan enlarged scale,of the envelop,taken through the upper central portionthereof and showing the parts previous to full securement. Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3, showing the parts fully secured. Figs. 5 and 6are detail perspective views of parts of the fastening means.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates an envelop of substantially ordinary form, withthe excepe tion that the inwardly-folded end flaps 2 are formed withrectangular or similarly-shaped terminal tongues 3, which are closelyoverlapped and secured by a metal connectingbar 4, applied against theinnermost tongue 3 and having the opposite ends 5 inserted through bothtongues and the reduced eX- tremity of the bottom flap 6 and upset, asclearly shown by Fig. 2, thereby securing the parts of the body portionof the envelop without the use of adhesive substance, as in ordinaryenvelop structures. The extended terminal tongues 3 provide anadditional thickness of material at the point where the devices, whichwill be hereinafter described, are applied to prevent said devices fromtearing through and also to form a greater bodysupport for theapplication of the same, and thereby produce a stronger fastener for theenvelop. The closing-flap '7 is of the usual construction and foldsdownwardly over the back of the body of the envelop in the sealingoperation and is wide enough at its central portion to cover theeXteriorly-eXposed upset ends 5 of the connecting-bar 4. This bar 4isdisposed longitudinally and also serves as a reinforcing or upsettingresistance for the legs 8 of a headed fastening 9, which is insertedthrough the central portion of the closing-flap 7, the head of thefastening being located on the exterior of said flap when the latter isturned downward or folded in the sealing operation. In securing the flap7 t0 the body of the envelop the legs 80f the fastening9 are pushedthrough the reduced extremity of the bottom flap 6 and the two tongues3, the said legs being held in vertical alinement and then terminallybent inwardly toward each other against the bar 4, as clearly shown byFig. 4. In some instances suitable slits will be formed in the reducedextremity of the bottom flap 6 and the two tongues3 to receive the legs8 of the fastening 9 and render the insertion of the legs through thesaid parts more readily accomplished. When the legs 8 are upset againstthe connecting-bar 4, as shown by Fig. 4, the flap 7 will be reliablyheld closed and will resist effort to open the same by unauthorizedpersons without such mutilation as will immediately lead to discovery.

The improved envelop will be found exceptionally convenient and safe,particularly for use in transmitting important inclosures, and from acomparative standpoint is far superior to the ordinary form of envelophaving the parts connected by adhesive substances, as no portion ormember of the envelop can be opened Without disconnecting the bar 4 orthe fastening 9, and hence the ordinary methods of steaming ormoistening the ordinary gummed envelops to loosen the parts of the samewill be of no avail in the improved structure.

It is proposed to construct the envelop in various sizes and thefastening devices will IOC tongues and the upper portion of the bottom I5 flap, and exteriorly upset against the latter, and a staple carried bythe closing-flap and adapted to be passed through the upper extremity ofthe bottom flap and the tongue and to have its legs engage the upper andlower edges of the fastening bar and be upset against the inner side ofthe latter.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HOMER A. GRAHAM.

Witnesses:

ALEX. 0. Roman, H. C. STANGLIFF.

